Achilles understand that Theodora connects to Teddy's own name, as do branches of the same tree, but he does not know their tongue so well to grasp that this is a woman's name. In the time he has known Teddy, sharing the rich fabric of song and honey-sweet mead, he has in turn thought them a beautiful man one day, a handsome woman the next, both and neither at once. It bemuses him, who hails from a country where the roles of man and woman are rigidly defined and divided, but it does not bother him.

Presently, Achilles' countenance warms.

"It is true that many birds too are known for their sweet singing. Then will you use your beak to carve the sigils, such that the gods may bless our plan to fell their sacred tree?"

His eyes twinkle with merriment too momentary, before silence again shrouds their walk through the wood. In answer to Teddy, he speaks winged words.

"Noble Winifred would have sacrificed her life, offering herself on the altar of the gods, whether we had supplicated the deathless gods for their protection of the heaving sea, or for their defense of the forest with its waves of trees. She made her choice, as we made ours."